How about a fresh, almost real time build along? OK you got it! I am going to call this:
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN "MICARTA"
It's not really Micarta, it's paper and epoxy composite that I am going to make. This is going to be a picture heavy thread, with a couple videos thrown in.
Why make your own? Why not! Its fun, cheap and you can make something unique
First thing is to gather up the tools and materials needed.
The three most common option for making your own composite are; Fabric, Paper and Fiberglass. For this build I am using old, used unbleached coffee filters. Chemex filter material to be specific. It’s substantially heaver than common filter material, like the basket type filter material for instance.
It’s washable! Try that with your Mr. Coffee filters. I chose used filter material because it has been soiled with oils and other contaminates from the coffee grounds and will absorb the resin unevenly leading to a mottled appearance.
The next thing you will need is a form of some kind to press the material with.
You can use about anything to press with. Two pieces of wood will work if thats all you can scrounge up, but a form with two sides will make the job easier and more pleasant. I have used wood forms with fixed sides, removable sides, aluminum channel and most recently, UHMWPE U-channel. The plastic channel is my go to now. Whatever you use to press with, make sure the finished product will release from the form. If using wood, line it with plastic or no stick paper like Parchment. I also would recommend waxing the form and other parts even if lined. That epoxy will find its way to places you did not expect and will become one with anything not treated for release.
I even wax my high tech form that nothing will stick too, because guess what?
Epoxy will stick to it, not permanently, but enough to make it a bear to release.
TIP#1; don’t use furniture wax for anything other than interior furniture, even then I won’t use it. Why? Because its soft has no heat or water resistance and it will transfer to everything it touches in this context. Mold release wax is the best. At least use a high quality, hard, auto paste wax for sealing forms and such.
Mold release wax is hard, takes high heat and will not transfer to your composite.
Next you need to prep your materials to fit your form. First make sure your paper will absorb resin. Always do a blot test. You can do it with water or a sharpie. Some paper will not absorb liquid, best to know ahead of time. I did not need to test this paper as all filter paper is absorbent, so is blotter paper, grocery bags, specific artist papers and surely many more than I am aware of.
I use the top plate as my template. For this paper, a rotary cutter works well and fast. It can be done with scissors of course or a sharp razor. But if you don’t have a rotary cutter, get one and you will use it all the time. $15 for a rotary cutter vs. $50++++ for a pair of quality knife edge shears.
I suppose you could make do with any resin, even something as thick as EA-40.
At least you would have plenty of time to beat it into the material as its bunching up and shredding. Better choice is a low viscosity resin. It’s makes the job so much easier and faster. Most epoxy resin viscosity is measured on the Centipoise scale (CPS). This System Three clear coat has a CPS of 380;
Water is 1 30wt is 400+. EA-40 is 100,000++
OK I maxed out the pics per post. Another coming soon.....
Topic: Build Alongs (Read 29564 times)
